Crystal Bay is starting to return to its old condition, although the greens are not as fast as in the early days when the course was known as Natural Park and had the best greens in the East Coast area. They have never really recovered from the destruction caused by some people who were in dispute with the old controllers of the courses at the time of a change in management, but now show signs that with a little more work they will be amongst the best again.

The rest of the course is also looking quite good and combined with the lack of other players on the course, as with all the local courses recently with so many of the locals staying away and many tourists not travelling so much, it was a real pleasure to play.

Bob Lamond.

Bob Lamond made a triumphant return from his new home and showed that he had lost none of his old prowess as he returned a very tidy 73 gross, which included three birdies and just four bogies for a four under return that was just enough to squeeze ahead of the chasing pair consisting of Paul Hartley and Benny Hansen.

Paul took second place after winning a count back with a better 18 to 17, taking six points from the last six as Benny could manage only five having blobbed the seventeenth under pressure.

Alwyne Burley took fourth place ahead of the strangely out of form Phil Groves.

After several dry runs at last both of the 2’s pools were cleared out with Alwyne Burley taking the second division with one on his own, while the first division was shared by Geoff Potter with one, and Bob Lamond with two.

Before making the presentations Stephen Beard welcomed new member Geoff Potter and also welcomed back Bob Lamond who is on a flying visit from the far north near “where here be tigers”, according to the local map.

Wednesday, May 16, Greenwood – Stableford

CSS 72

1st Phil Groves (8) 37pts

2nd Daryl Kellett (16) 34pts

3rd Paul Hartley (18) 28pts

A surprisingly low turnout for the usually popular Greenwood but due no doubt to players picking what they consider the best value and most convenient of the courses on offer as they now play either once or twice a week instead of the usual, in earlier and more affluent times, three or four times a week.

Terry Hodgkiss.

It was back to the usual as Phil Groves returned to form and a one under handicap return that was easily enough to take the top honour for the day.

Daryl Kellett had a very steady round following the good news he had received from OZ earlier in the day which may have helped him just knock the thing around without too much thought process, and which can sometimes be a great advantage, to claim second place with the long hitting Paul Hartley taking third some six strokes further back.

There were no 2’s in the second division but Phil Groves cleaned out the first division pool regretting that it was a day too late.

Prior to the presentations there was a welcome back for Paul Taylor who is still struggling to get back to his old form with his shoulder injury keeping him off the podium since June 2009.

There was also a small celebration as Daryl Kellett had just heard that he had become a great, great grandfather. There may be one too many greats in there but it was still worth a round and a toast, with the former provided by Daryl and the latter by the Doc.

Friday, May 18, Century Chonburi – Stableford

CSS 72

1st Terry Hodgkiss (25) 33pts

2nd Gary Warren (16) 33pts

3rd Alwyne Burley (18) 31pts

4th Trevor Schirmer (16) 30pts

5th Daryl Kellett (16) 30pts

With the financial climate such as it is, it was surprising that a few more people did not take advantage of the great deal to be had at Century Chonburi where a green fee, caddy fee and share of a cart costs just 500 baht. The course is now in fairly good shape, being at least as good as a public course back in Europe or the Southern Hemisphere, with even the bunkers looking in slightly better shape.

Playing with the ‘lift and place’ in the fairways and using the local rules to effect in the bunkers makes the whole golfing experience, if not the best, at least very acceptable and at the price excellent value.

Terry Hodgkiss took his first win out of The Haven since April 2009, which followed his maiden win in June 2007 so cannot really be called a serial winner and is usually quite happy to just be there somewhere and maybe somewhere near the top. But today even though the conditions were extremely tough he hung on through the back nine to win a count back with a better score of 15 to 13.

Gary Warren returned his best result of this trip but just failed to keep the pressure on as he lost out over the last three holes and especially dropping a blob in on the last hole cost him the chance of his first win from Soi 13.

Alwyne Burley got into the frame in third place for the second time in the week with a steady round on a course that was giving nothing in any area with the wind blowing in all directions but seemingly into it on almost every hole.

Trevor Schirmer took advantage of the price to chance whether his dodgy knee would allow him to play more than a few holes and succeeded in not only finishing but getting an honourable mention in fourth ahead of the great grandfather Daryl.

There were no 2’s in either division as the competitors found the par threes just a little on the long side with two of them measuring over 200 yards.

Back at the Haven there was a welcome back to Trevor Schirmer whose recent golf has been confined to the long drive, as he is still hampered with a debilitating knee problem but managed to make it all the way round on the day and contest until the last couple of holes.

Note: If you would like to play with The Haven group, you can contact mobile 082 219 0965 or call in to The Haven Hotel, at 185 Soi 13, between Beach Road and 2nd Road. All transportation to the course is arranged and you do not need to sign up prior to the day, but you should be there by 8.30 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on the days you wish to play. A schedule of courses to be played can be found on our web site at www.thehaven-hotel.com.